The next morning which just two hours of sleep Charlotte rose from her slumber and made her way towards the Castle. She made a quick stop by the stables to make sure everything was in order before she made her way up the long steps to her inevitable future. She found herself playing with her brown dress as she greeted a few other servants. The nerves were getting the best of her and she really considered walking back down the steps and rolling into the horses and continuing the life she was used to living.

She noticed Gwen waiting just inside the door and she could have cried in relief.

"Charlotte, good morning and welcome to your future." She knew Gwen was just trying to be funny but she smiled anyway and gave her a quick hug holding onto her for much longer than she anticipated.

"Relax, you'll do great." Gwen gave her a small pat on the shoulder before leading her further into the castle.

Charlotte smiled brightly up at the palace.

"It is beautiful," Gwen, said absentmindedly. Charlotte nodded her head in agreement as she glanced around the King's home, so many beautiful colours lined the walls and the atmosphere was astounding.

"It is fantastic," Charlotte said enthusiastically. At least this would be a distraction for what lies even further into the castle.

"Hey!" Charlotte turned around and noticed a young man running towards them. Merlin was and always will be Charlotte's closest friend well besides Gwen that is.

"Merlin, You're late." Gwen said trying to keep a stern face. Merlin rolled his eyes and gave Charlotte an encouraging smile.

"Yeah I know, Arthur can wait two minutes." He sighed and pulled a hand through his dark hair.

Gwen let out a sigh and continued walking gesturing for the other two to follow her.

"Are you nervous?" He asked and Charlotte considered laughing in his face. Nervous, well of course she was nervous. Merlin must have noticed her panic when he placed an arm around her shoulder.

"Well, you got the easy job," he said patting her shoulder slightly, "I have to tend to the Prince," Charlotte let out a laugh and Merlin released himself moving ahead of the girls.

As they watched him go Charlotte felt a tightening feeling in her stomach. The panic was starting to contain her body and every inch of her being was starting to become overwhelmed. She let out a short breath and clutched a hand to her stomach. "Uh, Gwen."

Gwen turned and widened her eyes at Charlotte. " Don't vomit in here please." She exclaimed running and placing her hand on the girl's shoulders. Gwen glanced around the room nervously and gave a few apologetic smiles to the people around them. "Charlotte look at me." Charlotte opened her eyes and glared at the girl.

"I really can't do this." Gwen let out a frustrated sigh.

"If Merlin can do it, then you definitelycan," Gwen smiled down at the girl. Charlotte felt slightly better, but she shrugged off any other feelings knowingly aware that she couldn't turn back now. But yet she still wanted to run out those doors and back into those stables where she knew she would be safe.

Slowly and with every small movement Charlotte followed behind Gwen her eyes glancing around the place anxiously as she tried to remain composed.

As they made their way through the castle doors they noticed the halls were awfully quiet. The usual chatter and clanging of dishes was not heard amongst the walls causing Gwen to feel slightly on edge.

"What's the matter, Gwen?" Charlotte asked when she noticed the odd expression of Gwen's face.

"Nothing, it's just really quiet," Gwen sighed. "We must be earlier than usual."

From the distance the sun was breaking through the clouds signifying that dawn was coming. Gwen hurried through the halls whilst Charlotte followed trying to match her speed.

"Okay Charlotte, I'm going to give you this list." Gwen stated pulling out a piece of parchment. "I need to go see the King so I'm leaving this with you. It has a list of all of your duties that you must complete. Don't worry it's not much." Gwen glanced around the halls in worry, " I really need to go but - when you have given the knights their breakfast, come and see me."

"I'm sorry the who?"

"You'll be fine Charlotte."

And then she was off leaving Charlotte alone in the castle halls with a large piece of parchment and a floor that was going to be filled with vomit.

She pulled open the paper to reveal the message inside.

Dear Charlotte,

I thought this list might make your life a whole lot easier, I wish someone gave me one when I had your job.

Anyway below is a list of all the duties you must complete on a regular basis in the morning time. Good Luck

-Go to the kitchens and tell the kitchen hands to prepare breakfast for the knights.

- One by one visits the knights with their breakfast. Knock once and then enter. Open the curtains and leave the breakfast by their bed. Don't speak unless spoken to.

Once you have completed these chores come find me in the King's chambers where I will inform you of your duties for the rest of the day.

Much love

Gwen

The Knights rooms was the part that Charlotte read over hundreds of times as she made her way towards the kitchens. She could not mentally handle speaking to one of them but actually being in their rooms was making her very very nervous.

As she made her way towards the kitchen she tried her best to ignore the whispers and glares from the passing maids. She knew that the news of her promotion would spread around fast but there was a part of her that wished that at least some of the maids would be happy for her, and yet almost each and every one of them had turned a small shade of green. All the while Charlotte smiled.

"Good morning," She would call to the passing maids and in return she would receive a glare.

Charlotte didn't let it get to her. Her father always taught her to respect others - even her enemies.

The kitchen was full or chefs and servants all working hard to prepare meals for the sleeping knights and royalty upstairs. There was a lot of hustle and bustle and many had sweat rolling down their heads with tiredness. That was when she noticed her father. He was a beefy man, tall and round yet his huge personality replaced any first impression one would have of him.

"Charlotte, my dear." He called with a loud roar startling one of the kitchen hands. Charlotte moved towards her father hugging him tightly.

"Hi Dad," she beamed but the nerved must have been evident on her face.

"I'm so glad you're here. I've prepared the knights meals just on time for you," He said with a yawn. "And when you've taken them I can get some sleep...hopefully."

Charlotte smiled patting him on the arm. "Thank you father," she said smiling. At least she could guarantee a good meal for them.

Sighing she turned to the nicely prepared meals on the tables. One of the maids was placing them on a cart like contraption, one that Charlotte wasn't too familiar with.

"You push it Charlotte," her father informed her and she wanted to smack herself on the head for being so stupid. Her father gave her one last nod before returning to work.

As Charlotte left the kitchen to begin her rounds she noticed that she had no idea where the knight's chambers were. That was going to be a problem.

Frustrated and confused she stood in the middle of a hallway and glared at the room with uncertainty. She was sure they would be around here considering this was one of the nicest areas in the castle. She decided to just go with her intuition and turned towards the furthest door down the corridor.

She hesitated a moment before knocking just as Gwen instructed. When she heard nothing, she entered the room cautiously. She left the cart outside as she made her way into the room shutting the door with one hand while she held a plate of food in the other. Her balance was not too well but she wasn't trained in this sort of job so she didn't feel too bad about that.

Eyes wide with fear, she began slowly walking towards the sleeping figure in the bed praying that it was one of the knights. If it wasn't well lets just say she was going to be in for a rude awakening.

Moving swiftly yet slowly Charlotte stood beside the sleeping figure checking that it was one of the knights of Camelot. Just her luck she recognised the man to be Gwaine. She knew Gwaine for being a friend Merlins and she had seen him wandering around without his armour a few times. He seemed like an odd character but she smiled in relief non-the less. He was sleeping with his mouth wide open and little beads of sweat covered his head.

Sighing she stepped back, placing the food neatly on the table close to his bed.

There was something else she needed to do before she left.

'Open the curtain'Gwen's voice hushed in her mind. Charlotte turned quietly and made her way towards the curtains pulling them open with a sweep. The voice she heard was not a pleased one.

"Why! It's still dark outside," she heard Gwaine speak loudly from beneath the pillow he must have thrown over his head. Charlotte turned towards the window that was shining brightly from the penetrating sunlight; it was definitely not dark outside.

She stood there in silence unsure what to do or say.

"Gwen," he called again. "Why must you do this to me."

"I'm not Gwen," She said and immediately she regretted it. Gwaine removed the pillow from his head and sat up reaching to his side to retrieve his sword. Charlotte stood back anxious of what was to come. Gwaine only eyed her suspiciously pointing his sword at her face.

"Who are you?" He asked. Charlotte hesitated before she spoke.

"Charlotte Hill," she said. Gwaine relaxed his shoulder slightly.

"Oh, that's right the new servant," He said moving forward to drop his sword on a large amount of clothing.

"I'm Gwaine," he said falling back onto the pillow with a thump. Charlotte was about to reply when she heard a loud snore. She decided she would return to Gwaine later on, she didn't want to anger him any further.

Some of the knights weren't as dreadful in the morning as Gwaine was.

Lancelot and Elyan were extremely kind to Charlotte, greeting and congratulating her on her new job as she gave them their breakfast. Sir Leon didn't even stir as she made her way into his chambers; she was glad that she hadn't run into another knight like Gwaine.

Charlotte left Leon's room and glanced down at the plates of food only to notice that one remained. She stood there for a moment thinking back to the knights and who it was she had visited, she couldn't put her hand on who was next. She moved to the next room and stared blankly at the door unaware of who lied inside. She knocked once and entered with caution, once again holding a dish of food in her hand.

She noticed the bed was empty as she set the food on the side table next to the bed. She began to worry as she made her way towards the curtains. She paused in shock as she noticed the curtains were already opened.

"Damn," she whispered to herself turning around frantically. "I'm late and on my first day." She cried.

"I think I can forgive you," she heard from behind her. She paused and slowly turned around to face the Knight. Her eyes widened as she took in the shirtless figure. The knight stood in a pair of shorts and a bare torso with a sly smile on his face. Charlotte had been the male physique before of course, she does have four brothers after all but she never seen a physique so well crafted. His muscles could cut rope if they wanted to. She realised she was staring when she heard him cough awkwardly. Her gaze rose to his face and she gulped.

"I'm sorry," she said softly her eyes looking at anything but him.

Suddenly silence had engulfed the room and Charlotte forgot what she was there for. She cursed internally and gripped tightly onto the breakfast tray in her hand.

"I'm Percival," He said after a moment of silence. She nodded and smiled slightly at him hoping that her blush wasn't evident from across the room.

"Charlotte Hill," She replied but her voice squeaked making her cringe internally.

He laughed lightly moving towards her. She held her front keeping her gaze from locking onto his because she was certain she would either drop the tray or throw it on him and she really didn't want either to happen.

"I'm starving," He finally said Charlotte sighed slightly. He moved forward and she watched as he slowly removed the tray from her hands.

He was inches from her now and her stomach was starting to swirl around in an unnatural rhythm. She slowly glanced upwards to find his gaze focused on her and her cheeks instantly went crimson.

The proximity was starting to make her uncomfortable and she slowly released her gaze and took a step back away from the Knight.

"Forgive me Sir," she mumbled moving towards the door. "But I must return to work," She smiled before curtsying lightly.

He only smiled at her a sad smile that made her tilt her head curiously, but before she could say anything he had turned his back on her and she took her leave.

Charlotte left quickly moving towards the King's chambers in a rush. When she finally reached Gwen she smiled warmly at the woman sitting by the King's bed reading him a story.

"Gwen, what are you-" Charlotte began, but was interrupted by a loud hush from Gwen. Sighing Charlotte moved towards the window looking down at the now awake Camelot.

"It's a beautiful view," Gwen said coming up behind her. The King was asleep peacefully on the bed where Gwen had left him.

Charlotte nodded in agreement. The King had the most amazing view. The village looked alive and calm from this sight, everyone was busy moving around in a crowded bundle. Charlotte sighed when her eyes reached the stables, how she wished she could sit with her horses now.

"How was your first morning?" Gwen asked concerned for the young girl.

"You could have told me about Gwaine," Charlotte said. "He nearly killed me Gwen," Gwen laughed quietly careful not to wake the King.

"I thought it would be best to experience that one for yourself," Gwen evoked with a sigh.

Charlotte place both her hands on her hips and stared her friend down, if she wasn't technically her boss she would be slapping her silly in a moment

"Right here is what I need you to do now." Charlotte sighed and nodded for Gwen to continue. "Fetch their armour and clean their rooms." Charlotte nodded making her way to the door.

"Be careful with Gwaine, he likes to flirt and let's just say he isn't very good at it." Charlotte laughed leaving Gwen with the King. Smiling she made her way towards the knights chambers purposely avoiding Gwaine's room.

She knocked on Sir Leon's door and was greeted with a loud growl. Sighing Charlotte entered to retrieve his laundry.

"Excuse me Sir, I wish to retrieve your armour," Sir Leon turned at the voice and smiled, an apologetic expression on his face.

"I'm sorry, I thought you were Gwaine," He said with a yawn. "You must be Charlotte." he said after a moment of thought; Charlotte merely smiled in response moving forward to retrieve his armour and laundry.

"Excellent breakfast," he said holding out his empty tray. Charlotte lifted it from his grasp with one hand whilst the armour lay restlessly over her shoulder.

"Percival was right about you," He said as if almost to himself. "You do have a wonderful smile." Charlotte blushed turning towards the door. She thanked Leon as she left the room.

"That was odd." She whispered to herself. "This was going to be a long day."